diff --git a/AGENTS.md b/AGENTS.md
index edfb54af0b..c0e999cbae 100644
--- a/AGENTS.md
+++ b/AGENTS.md
@@ -1,7 +1,12 @@
-Before committing changes, run all of the following from the repository root and ensure they pass:
+Before committing changes that modify Rust source code or Rust build metadata
+(such as `Cargo.toml`, `Cargo.lock`, or `rust-toolchain`), run all of the
+following from the repository root and ensure they pass:
 
 ```sh
 cargo fmt --all
 cargo clippy --workspace --all-targets --all-features -- -D warnings
 cargo nextest run --no-fail-fast
 ```
+
+These commands are not required when the change set contains no Rust source or
+Rust build metadata changes.